Location
Malta
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
May to October
About Qarraba Bay
Qarraba Bay is a small, secluded cove on Malta's north-west coast in the limits of Mġarr, wedged between two busy clothed beaches: Għajn Tuffieħa/Riviera Martini to the north and Ġnejna Bay to the south. It is cut off by crumbling blue-clay slopes and the jagged Qarraba headland, so it can only be reached on foot or by boat, and that isolation is why it has become Malta's best-known unofficial nude beach. The bay is small, with a narrow strip of sand and shingle at the foot of the clay cliffs and clear, sheltered water good for swimming and snorkelling. There is no shade and no facilities of any kind. Numbers stay modest even in summer, because the effort of getting there filters out casual beachgoers. Nudity is technically illegal in Malta and only quietly tolerated here, and international naturist bodies have lobbied the government to give the bay official recognition, without result so far.
Getting there
Drive to Ġnejna Bay (road from Mġarr, parking above the beach) or take a bus to Għajn Tuffieħa. The simplest and safest way in is the short boat ride from Ġnejna Bay run by a local water-sports operator (about two minutes; around EUR 4 return in 2020, check current price). On foot you can follow a narrow coastal path from Ġnejna, or come over the clay hills from Għajn Tuffieħa/Riviera Martini; both are steep and loose in places, and sliding down the clay slopes is dangerous. Not accessible for wheelchairs.
What visitors say
Visitors describe Qarraba as quiet, peaceful and genuinely secluded compared with the crowded beaches on either side. Most recommend the boat from Ġnejna over the walk, and those who walk warn that the clay slopes are slippery and the path harder than it looks. People note the lack of any shade or services, and that the crowd is usually small. Because nudity is not legal in Malta, visitors are advised to be discreet and not to undress on the neighbouring beaches.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Malta's criminal code (a provision dating from 1933) makes public nudity an offence, and many beaches carry signs banning even topless bathing. Nude use at Qarraba Bay is quietly tolerated rather than authorised; the International Naturist Federation has written to Prime Minister Robert Abela asking for the bay to be officially recognised (reported by MaltaToday), and no change had been announced as of our research in 2026.
Naturism at Qarraba Bay sits under Malta's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Malta public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 35.9270, 14.3433
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Malta
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity legal at Qarraba Bay?
No. Public nudity is technically illegal in Malta, but nude bathing at Qarraba has long been tolerated because of its isolation.
How do I get there?
Take the short boat from Ġnejna Bay, or walk the steep coastal paths from Ġnejna or Għajn Tuffieħa. Avoid sliding down the clay slopes.
Are there facilities?
None. Bring water, food and shade; the nearest cafes and toilets are at Ġnejna Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa.
Is it suitable for families?
Not really: access is difficult, there are no facilities, and nudity has no legal protection in Malta.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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